Jonathan Edwards

Interview by Joyce Peters

July 2000
Reprinted courtesy of Taconic Press

I caught up with Jonathan in person before his performance at the Ram’s Head Tavern in Annapolis, MD. He and his wife were feasting on a seafood dinner at a cozy, candlelit table while their dog, Latte, was curled up on a nearby sofa.

JP: How did you end up living on St. Croix?JE: I’ve been doing gigs in St. Croix and the Virgin Islands sporadically since the 70s. I have a bunch of friends who migrated there from where I went to school in Ohio. I’ve kept up those connections all these years. We felt like we had a friend base there and that we could start off a life there. We knew we wanted to go somewhere warm and nice and summery all the time.

JP: When we spoke last year, you mentioned you wanted to get together with local musicians in St. Croix.JE: I’ve done a little bit of that. I want to do more. It’s a wide-open area to understand.

JP: At that time, drumming was also a particular interest of yours. Is that still an interest of yours?JE: I love percussion. I would love to sit in the back of a band and just play percussion. That would be a blast.

JP: What about painting and drawing? Are you still doing that?JE: Gee, you sound like the voice of my conscience [laughs]. I hear these voices in my head that say, “Come on. Do something today!” I do some work; some painting and drawing for my own pleasure and fun.

JP: So, what’s holding you back from doing more of that if that brings you joy?JE: Well, I don’t want to take it too seriously. I would just as soon keep it as something I go to when I see something I’d like to draw or paint rather than make it something serious.

JP: What’s it like traveling while on tour?JE: We usually rent an SUV–big enough for this one [pointing to his dog] and her cage and some CDs and a guitar. We hit the travel pretty hard–but there’s a lot of down time.

JP: Do you get out on the water while you’re here in Annapolis?JE: We sailed through here in the fall. We didn’t get a chance to get out [on the water]. We’re spoiled in St. Croix.

JP: Brag a bit; what are your best qualities?JE: I make a really good spaghetti sauce [laughs]. I feel at home in front of an audience.

JP: And of course I have to ask…your worst qualities?JE: You can’t answer that! [laughing and pointing to his wife] I’m a really lousy correspondent.

JP: On “Shanty,” you sing about putting a good buzz on. How do you put a good buzz on these days?JE: I don’t drink anymore. I would say enjoying friends and family. Enjoying people and nature. Two letters: be.

JP: What did I forget to ask you?JE: Oddly enough, I’ll say the question I dread the most: What are your plans for the future? I take one day at a time. Next summer we want to put together a final sort of tour. A first annual farewell tour to this touring business.

JP: Tell me more about this farewell tour.JE: I just want to do other things and not feel the pressure to be somewhere all the time. It’s been almost 30 years since “Sunshine.” I want to live more in the moment. Spend time with family and friends — my daughters. Continue to enjoy life. Help other musicians along the way if I can — through encouragement or actual hands on help. Keep my ear out for people who I think have something that needs to be heard.

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From Phil Ciganer

Friends –

As we celebrate our fifth year of operation in Beacon, we invite you to take a bow. We appreciate the great dining review in the NY Times and the Best of Hudson Valley award from Hudson Valley Magazine. But what has made it truly special is our vibrant community of music and food lovers. Thank you!